Man accused of stalking pastor's daughter back in court after refusing psych evaluation

Nikki Treleaven

Published 12:00 am, Wednesday, January 30, 2013

BANTAM >> A Salisbury man accused of repeatedly harassing a daughter of a local pastor returned to Bantam Superior Court Wednesday after authorities said he refused to undergo a court-ordered psychiatric evaluation.

Joseph White, 39, 253 Millerton Road, Salisbury, had his case continued to Feb. 27 after appearing in Bantam Superior Court Wednesday. White also appeared in court on Jan. 23 where he was ordered to receive a mental evaluation, but refused to cooperate. On Wednesday, White appeared in front of Judge Richard Marano, to discuss his failure to complete the evaluation and his bond amount.

Senior Assistant State's Attorney Jonathan Knight said the state is concerned about the safety of the victim because White refuses evaluation and treatment.

White was arrested Jan. 5 and is charged with second-degree harassment and disorderly conduct and is being held in a New Haven Correctional Facility on a $7,500 bond, which was lowered from the original $60,000 set.

State Police Troop B responded to a call to investigate a stalking complaint, where the victim reported to police White was harassing her. According to the police report, White and the victim attended the same church for the past two years, where they had conversations about art, since they were both artists. The victim told police she never had any romantic interest in White and never dated him, according to police documents.

According to the affidavit, In July 2012, White got upset when he saw the victim talking to another male member of the church and in response, he allegedly asked the victim to marry him via e-mail. Later in October 2012, he wrote her a letter asking her to respond to his request to "hang out together." The victim reported to police about both incidences, who ordered White to have no further contact with her, according to the police report.

In addition to the e-mail and letter, the victim informed police White sent her a dozen roses with a card the day he was arrested. The victim reported to police that she is aware White has a history of mental illness and he has not been taking his medications.

According to the police report, White has been diagnosed with schizophrenia.

On Jan. 29 White went to the Troop B barracks and stated that he was planning on protesting the church they both attended and victim's father preaches at. According to the police report, state police told White to act peacefully and was not allowed to step foot on church property.

In court on Jan. 23, White who chose to represent himself, argued with Judge Wilson Trombley and said he does not know why he has been arrested.

"The church I have attended for 20 years have treated me abdominally," White said repeatedly in court at the Jan. 23 hearing.

At Wednesday's court appearance White expressed a similar attitude.

White said he has not made contact with the victim but instead was picketing the "church as a whole." He said he told the police before his protest and an officer was there when he picketed to "show his displeasure" with the church as an institution.

White said the court is "running roughshod on me" and "caving into a very powerful man," referring to the church's pastor. During the appearance, White continued to ask if he was going to be able to question Knight, and while speaking, asked the judge several times "are you listening to me your honor?" The judge told White that the purpose of the appearance Wednesday was not to hear his case but to determine if his bond would be changed.

In the end, White's bond remained at $7,500 and he was again unable to post it. He was taken back to the New Haven Correctional Center. As judicial marshals escorted White out of the courtroom he said toward the bench, "God sees what you are doing and he laughs. And I will sue you," before the doors leading to lock up closed behind him.

Reach Nikki Treleaven at (860) 489-3121 ext. 324

Tom Cleary contributed to this report. Reach him at (860) 489-3121 ext. 308